Garter-clasp.



' Pat E. GUTMANN. ented Nov. 5, IBM.

'GABTER CLASP.

(Application filed Apr. 24, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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. NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMIL GUTMANN, OF NEW YORK, N.

GARTER-C LAS P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 685,983, dated November 5, 1901.

Application filed April 24,1901. Serial No. 67,178- (No model.)

To (LZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMIL GUTMANN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, in the city and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Garter-Clasps, of which the following is'a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in garter-clasps, and has for its object to provide a clasp comprising two substantially rigid jaws, the one having one or more blunt projections or studs and the other having 'a cushionbr socket-piece of some suitable yielding material clamped to its outer face,the said cushion 'or socket-piece having one or more recesses or sockets arranged to receive the said projections or studs for clamping the garment therein.

A further object is to provide a clasp of the above character which will have certain new and improved features of construction whereby the jaws may be locked in a simple and effective manner, the clasp at the same time being very strong and compact.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents in perspective a garterclasp more especially adapted for use in connection with ladies hose supporters, the braid to which. the clasp is attached being shown arranged in position to prevent the contact of the clasp with the limb of the wearer. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the clasp in its closed position. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 4is a longitudinal central section through the clasp in its closed position. Fig. 5 is a similar view through the clasp in its open position. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of garterclasp in which one of the jaws is provided with a plurality of rigid projections or studs and the other jaw is provided with a cushion or socket-piece of yielding material having a plurality of recesses or sockets therein for receiving the said projections or studs, and Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through the modified form of clasp in its opened position.

The inner jaw of the clasp is denoted by a, and it is made of metal or other suitable substantially rigid material. This inner jaw is strengthened by means of an upturned rim b. Near the rear end of the inner jawa I provide a pair of outwardly-extended ears 0 (Z,between which is hinged the outer jaw e of the clasp, in the present instance by means of a pintle f, which passes through the ears 0 d of the inner jaw and through ears g, one of which only is shown in the accompanying drawings, projected inwardly from the jaw e. A spring 7?. serves to normally hold the jaws apart, which spring is wrapped around the pintle f and has one leaf engaging the inner jaw and the other end the outer jaw.

The means which I have shown for locking andreleasing the jaws comprises a cam-lever i, hinged atj to the rear end of the outer jaw e at a point to the rear of but adjacent to the hinged connection between the inner and outer jaws. This cam-lever is so arranged that when it is swung outwardly the spring h is permitted to hold the jaws apart, and when swung inwardly into substantial alinement with theinner jaw the outerjaw will be forced into and locked in its closed position. The cam-lever is automatically held in its open or closed position by the tension of the spring h by providing the lever with two flat surfaces 70 Z at substantially right angles to each other adjacent to its hinged connection with the jaw e. A cushion or socket-piece m, of some suitable yielding material-such,for instance, as rubber-is securely fastened to the outer face of the innerjaw a,in the present instance by forcing portions of the rim b into engagement with the wedge-shaped sides of the cushion or socket-piece and striking up a tongue n from the body of the jaw into engagement with the rear portion of the wedge-shaped side of the cushion or socket-piece.

The outer jaw e is provided with one or more blunt-ended rigid projections or studs 0, arranged to enter one or more recesses or socketsp in the cushion or socket-piece m. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to5, inclusive, I have shown a single projection 0 and asingle recess 19, while in the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a plurality of projections and recesses. These projections and recesses are preferably extended crosswise of the clasp, so as to prevent the slipping of the garment when clamped therein. The projections have rounded or blunt ends, so as to absolutely prevent the tearing of the garment when the clasp is in use.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive,

I have shown the inner jaw a provided with a loop q along its front end and a loop 1" along its rear end for the reception of a web sof the garter. This web is so engaged with the two loops of the inner jaw that a portion of the same is extended along the inner face of the inner jaw, so that the contact of the clasp with the limb of the wearer is obviated.

In the structure above described it will be seen that a firm grip may be obtained upon the garment when the clasp is closed without a tendency to displace the yielding cushion or to tear the garment. It will furthermore be seen that the clasp is made extremely thin because of the use of the cam-lever, as described, this making the clasp particularly valuable for the use for which it is. intended.

It is evident that changes might be resorted to in the construction, form, and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the structure herein set forth; but

What I claim is l. A garter-clasp comprising two substantially rigid jaws, the one provided on its inner face with a socket-piece of yielding material having a socket or recess therein and the other provided with a stud or projection of rigid material arranged to enter the said socket or recess as the jaws are moved toward each other for clamping a garment therein and 35 means for locking the clasp in its closed position, substantially as set forth.

2. A garter-clasp comprising two substantially rigid jaws, the one provided on its inner face with a socket-piece of yielding material having a plurality of sockets or recesses therein and the other provided with a plural ity of studs or projections of rigid material arranged to enter the said sockets or recesses as the jaws are moved toward each other for clamping a garment therein and means for locking the clasp in its closed position, substantially as set forth.

8. A garter-clasp comprising two substantially rigid j aws,the one provided with a stud or projection and the other provided with a socket-piece of yielding material having a socket or recess therein for receiving the said stud or projection as the jaws are moved toward each other, the said cushion-carrying jaw being further provided with loops along its front and rear ends for the reception of the garter-braid, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 19th day of April, 1901.

EMIL GUTMANNi Witnesses:

FREDK. HAYNES, O. S. SUNDGREN. 

